Having set up two micro labs (not for medical but environmental micro) I
am surprised that no-one has mentioned equipment costs.Micro gear does
not come cheap nad needs regular examination to make sure it is up to
snuff. Equally you are taking on responsibility for disposal of culture
material.When it comes to discussing costs of microbiology (including
technical staff costs) don't expect a chemist to have the faintest idea
of your problem only practising microbiologists know that.
Peter,
Reading, UK.